One of the earliest and purest forms of Democracy in the United States took place at “town meetings”- a practice established in Massachusetts and distinct to the New England region. … Continue reading Town Meetings in the Northwest Precinct of Cambridge, 1736-1795
Ceramic objects in the AHS collection span centuries while telling local stories. Of these ceramics, several plates uniquely celebrate and document Arlington history. These pieces are known as commemorative or … Continue reading Commemorative Plates
On Tuesday, April 24, 1917, Nina Winn wrote about attending a Historical Society event in which “Aunt Sue read a poem & Elizabeth Smith wore the ball dress she wrote … Continue reading Ballad of the War of 1812
Crazy quilts in the Victorian era in America were popular for home furnishings in the United States from the 1870’s through the early 1900’s. The American desire for bright, bold asymmetrical designs … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Part 6
Fashion trends for clothing and home décor come and go today just as they did in the 19th Century. Hexagon based patterns were popular in the 1830s, the 1920s, and … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Part 5
Elizabeth Russell Rourke donated this quilt to the Arlington Historical society 150 after her great grandfather Jason Russell was killed at his home by British troops on April 19th, 1775 in … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Part 4
In 1835, CS Carpenter finished a beautiful white quilt by stuffing and sewing a cord between layers of soft, fine white cotton to spell out her name and the date. … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Part 3
This now faded cream and green colored quilt was once bright and showy, with crisp white cotton, and bright lime-green flowers on a dark hunter-green background. The soft ivory with … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Part 2
In 1926, Mary Gage donated a large wool quilt to the Arlington Historical Society. Mary and her husband Alfred Payson Gage had moved to Arlington from New Hampshire early in … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Part 1
Bedding and quilts in particular are an interesting way to imagine the everyday or perhaps rather “everynight” lives of people in our past. We all have blankets, bedding, quilts, comforters … Continue reading Highlights of the AHS Quilt Collection – Introduction